When Japanese borrows the words from another language, but not their meanings
Loanwords can prove tricky in Japanese. Once a word is imported, it can take on a whole other meaning to that of the language it originated in.
Be active in discussions about crime by mastering the passive voice
With news about train-related crime appearing in broadcasts, we look at the basic structure of talking about victims and perpetrators.
The limitations of audio-visual translation in shows like ‘Squid Game’
Entertainment translation is a constant juggling act, and viewer criticisms are sometimes made with a lack of understanding of how translation for subtitles and dubbed overlay work.
The samurai philosopher, the baseball star and language used in a Japanese boardroom
The lingo inside a Japanese boardroom tends to borrow a lot from baseball as well as from 16th-century samurai philosopher Miyamoto Musashi.
Scary Japanese stories to read in the dark
The hook on the car door, Bloody Mary, there are plenty of urban legends in the West that will provide frights on Halloween. Japan has its share of scares, too.
Loud, but not so clear: Discussing ‘noise’ and the rules surrounding election cars in Japanese
The sound trucks that make the rounds on Japanese streets are unanimously thought to be noisy. However, are they effective?
Visual elements make Japanese an easier language for those with dyslexia
Learning Japanese may seem daunting for those diagnosed with dyslexia, but it turns out that fundamentals of the language actually make it easier to learn than its Western counterparts.
Pandemic or no pandemic, I need to get out of my house
A lot of people have had to spend more time at home during the pandemic and that has led to some getting stir-crazy.
Words that mean how they sound: The power of onomatopoeia
You may not understand exactly what’s being said when you hear onomatopoeic words in Japanese, but you’ll most likely have an idea of what they mean based on how they sound.
Have you heard?: The Japanese for getting someone’s attention is pretty simple
The mayor of Helsinki reportedly made a suggestion that his city should go "all English." Can you imagine a Japanese city doing the same thing?
Parting words from Japan's Olympians and Paralympians
Short and sweet, the soundbites Japanese athletes gave to the press are sure to help you in expressing both happiness and disappointment.
Japanese for when you’re lost in life — or just lost on the road
While we can't say 2021 has been defined by loss, it's pretty evident that a feeling of being lost has popped up in a lot of situations.
